The Barrier

By Wes Leigh

 

This is a work of fiction intended solely for the entertainment of my readers; any resemblance to any real people or places is purely coincidental. Readers who would like to chat are encouraged to contact me at weston.leigh@protonmail.com.

This story is the property of the author and is protected by copyright laws. The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent.

If you enjoy this story, please support the Nifty archives today with a thoughtful donation by visiting https://donate.nifty.org/.

 

Chapter Two

 

Jack tossed his towel in the hamper and pulled on his silk sleep shorts. He loved the way the slippery fabric felt on his skin. Sitting down at his desk, he powered up his laptop and opened ZipChat. Entering his ID and password, he waited for the program to load, hoping his best friend in the world was available to talk, because he really needed some advice.

ZipChat finished setting up the encrypted session by displaying his picture in the middle of the screen.

It was a nice pic, honestly. He was dressed in a dark blue, school hoodie. His hair had just been cut and was styled the way he liked it, short on the sides, messy on the top. His bright blue eyes sparkled. His red lips were pretty sexy too. If he was looking for a boyfriend, the kid in the picture would certainly be interesting. At least, he thought so.

He opened his contact list and scrolled past all his school friends to the M's and the name Micah Percy. He clicked Micah's name and asked ZipChat to call the contact. The program buzzed as it called Micah's computer with a request for a chat session. Jack waited, nervously. ZipChat popped up a new window with a brief message: Session Accepted.

Jack's picture slid to the left side of the screen. A second picture popped up on the right side.

An older man. Silver hair. Rugged, handsome features. Dark, almost black eyes. A friendly smile. Micah's first words popped up on the screen: What's up, rascal?

Jack read the Micah's message and typed his own reply: Hoping you have time to talk tonight.

͠ ͠ ͠

Micah responded right away.

Sounds serious ... ?

Nothing bad. Just stuff going on. Need someone I can talk to.

I'm always here for you. You know that.

Jack had to smile when he read that, because it was absolutely true. For years now, Micah had always been someone Jack could contact day or night.

I know thanks really appreciate it.

No problem, kiddo. So what's going on with my favorite chess partner?

Jack hoped Micah wouldn't mind, but chess was the last thing on his mind at the moment.

Micah I'm really sorry but I don't feel like playing chess tonight.

That's okay. Wasn't asking for a game, not when my young friend is obviously upset about something and needs to talk. So ...

I'm not really upset. Just stuff on my mind. Stuff mom and dad don't understand.

But you can talk to me about it?

Yes you're gay so you understand what it's like.

Oh. So that's what this is about? Being gay?

Yeah.

Something happened at school?

No. On the news. That new law they passed.

Yeah. I heard about that. It will be interesting to see if it has much effect on anything.

Don't know about all that but it's already affected me.

How?

Mom and dad making a big deal over it at dinner. Mom thinks I'm gonna go crazy and fuck every guy I can find.

Ouch. That's rough. What's Dad think?

He thinks I will too but he's watchin my every move and gonna keep me locked in my room. I'll be twenty fuckin years old before I even get a boyfriend.

Jack ... we've talked about this before.

What?

Blowing things all out of proportion. Come on now. What's the real deal?

Jack grimaced. Micah was always good about calling bullshit whenever Jack exaggerated. As he was doing at the moment ...

Sorry. Okay mom really does think this will make teenagers more likely to have sex and she thinks I'll be worse because I'm gay. Dad said all guys are horny so it's no big deal but he's gonna watch me just like he always does and I'll never get a chance to do anything. It's just unfair Micah and I'm tired of them treating me like a little fucking kid all the time. Sorry about my language. I'm kinda pissed.

LOL Jack, you know I don't care about a few f-words here and there. I remember what it was like to be fifteen. It may have been a few years ago, but I recall how good it felt to cuss and get it out of my system.

You can remember back that far?

Okay, you little shit! It was only 33 years ago. That may seem like forever to you, but it was the blink of an eye for me.

Jack laughed as he typed his reply.

ROFLMAO ... you said SHIT!

Yes, I did. I know how to cuss too.

Jack felt his bleak mood lifting. Micah always had a way of pulling him out of his funk and helping him to focus. The cussing was probably deliberate on Micah's part, and it had worked.

Thanks for understanding Micah.

Jack, I try. You're a good kid. No ... you're an awesome young man, and I'm honored you call me a friend. Most guys your age would consider me an old fool not worth knowing. I feel privileged that you come to me for advice. I sort of feel like living 48 years on this planet gives me a bit of wisdom that might be worth sharing with the younger generation.

I'm not like most guys my age. I don't care how old you are. You're my friend and you give me great advice.

I try. Is that what you want tonight? Advice?

I don't know Micah. I don't know what I want. Maybe just someone to talk to.

You always have that with me.

I know really appreciate it too. My dad says this new law isn't gonna change anything but my mom thinks old guys like you are gonna wanna have sex with kids like me. Do you think that's true?

Wow, you ask tough questions. Well ... let me think about that. First of all, I can't speak for other guys, only for myself. I'm content with my life the way it is now. I'm happy. I have my work and my dogs. Life's good for me, and I don't really feel the need for a companion right now. If I did, I could probably start dating again, but I'm pretty sure I'd choose a guy closer to my age.

It's been a few years since Jacob died. Do you think you will ever date again?

I don't know, Jack. Haven't really given it much thought. Jacob and I had a great life, and I certainly miss him, but I haven't thought about starting over with a new relationship. If someone special came along, I'd consider it, but I'm not really looking.

I get it but ...

But what?

Haha don't you get horny?

Of course, I do. Just as much as you, but probably not as often.

You're making me blush.

You should blush. How many times a day is it now?

Not answering that cause I don't wanna look like a horn dog.

LOL that's a good enough answer. Yes, Jack, even an old dog like me gets horny, and I take care of it the same way you do. But that doesn't really answer your question.

Oh yeah almost forgot what I asked you.

Yes, I would consider starting a new relationship if the right person came along. That does not mean I'm going to try to find a fifteen-year-old lover. That may be the age of consent now, but I'm not interested in anyone that young.

You mean you wouldn't want me for a lover?

͠ ͠ ͠

Jack waited. Micah didn't answer right away. Jack began to feel panic rumbling through his stomach. How could he ask such a stupid question?

Micah I shouldn't have asked that. Sorry.

Still no reply.

Micah?

Finally, an answer popped up.

I'm here, Jack. Sorry, but I had to give that question some serious thought.

You don't have to answer it.

I think I do, Jack. For both of us.

Jack waited, anxiously sitting on the edge of his chair. Micah's response was long and took several chat paragraphs to finish.

Jack Christianson, my young friend, I've known you for three years now. In those three years, we've shared honestly about everything. You told me when you thought you were gay and asked me how you could know for certain. I told you I was gay and helped you to sort out your feelings about it. You asked me what it's like to be gay, and I answered every question you had. I've never refused to answer one of your questions, and I'm not going to refuse now.

Would I want you as a lover?

Jack, there are so many different kinds of love. I'm sure the kind you're asking about now is physical love. Would I enjoy touching your body, having you touch mine, having both of us give each other intimate satisfaction? Of course, I would. And I know you would too. Our bodies are designed to feel pleasure and to give pleasure, so I know we'd both enjoy being physically intimate with one another.

It's what would happen AFTER that concerns me. Would we feel guilty about it? Probably. Would you have second thoughts about being with a man old enough to be your father? I'm sure you would. Would I feel guilty about taking advantage of a young friend? Absolutely. Does that make sense?

Jack read Micah's reply carefully, then typed his first thoughts: You wouldn't be taking advantage of me Micah.

Perhaps not, Jack. But I'd probably still feel guilty about it. Society frowns upon that kind of behavior, whether it's between an older man and a teenage boy, or between a man my age and a young woman. It would be difficult for me to ignore what others would say about me for doing that.

You're always tellin me not to let what others think bother me.

Well, that's true. Don't let it bother you, certainly, but you still must consider what they're thinking and saying. What would your friends at school say if you told them you had a man my age as a boyfriend?

Haha I'm not really sayin I want you as my boyfriend.

Then what are you saying?

Don't know really. I guess I was just wondering if you would ever consider doing stuff with me.

Okay, so total honesty between us, right?

Yep.

Then yes, of course, I would. You're a sexy young man. I'm a horny old dude. Making love to you would be incredible, I'm sure, and leave me unconscious for a week.

ROFL I'm not that sexy.

Let me be the judge of that, you rascal. But I'm not finished. Even though it would be physically incredible, I'm not sure it would be the right thing to do. You and I are friends right now. I would even go so far as to say that we're best friends. Despite our age difference, we have a great deal in common, and we like each other. We've shared our hopes and dreams, our frustrations and our dilemmas. I've given you my best advice when you asked for it, and you've given me a listening ear when I needed someone to talk to. That's a very special relationship, Jack, and I wouldn't want to lose it.

Having sex would mess it up?

Not necessarily, but it would sure complicate things.

I guess you're right. But Micah I wish my life would get more complicated.

What are you saying, Jack?

I wish I had a boyfriend. I'd like things to be complicated for a change.

Be careful what you wish for. You might get it.

Are you offering?

LOL I thought we already covered that.

Haha we did but I'm serious Micah. I want a boyfriend. What can I do?

You may not like hearing this, but your parents are going to have to get involved. Even with the changes in the law, you're still fifteen.

Yeah you're right I don't like hearing that.

Sorry, rascal, but them's the facts and we can't do nothin' `bout it.

Yeah I guess so what do I do?

You might start out talking to your parents. Probably your dad, because I think he'll understand where you're coming from. Explain to him that you aren't interested in going too far or too fast, but you want to begin dating so you can gradually work your way into a long-term, HEALTHY relationship. And the best way to do that is to date first and learn about relationships the same way he had to learn when he was a teen. What do you think?

That might work. I can try I guess.

Let me know what he says.

I will. I'll tell him I've even picked out the guy I want to go on my first date with.

You have?

Yeah. You!

Jack! Dude!

Just kidding bro.

Okay, as long as the kidding is between the two of us. I don't want your parents trying to run me over with their car!

HAHA that would be bad.

I probably wouldn't like it. Who would feed my dogs?

I would cause you're gonna put me in your will to get all your money and then I'm movin into your house and livin there with your dogs.

Oh, really? When did you decide all this?

When I found out how much money you made on your last book LOL.

That's all I am to you? A rich, old guy who's going to leave you a million dollars when he dies?

No. You're my best friend.

Micah didn't reply right away, and Jack began to wonder if he'd said something wrong.

Micah ... you still there?

I'm still here, rascal. You made me cry.

I did? Sorry.

No. It's a good cry. Jack, you're my best friend too.

Thanks, Micah. I'm gonna go to bed now. Can I talk to you again tomorrow?

Any time you need me. You know I'm not going anywhere.

Okay talk to you later.

Later. Good night. Sleep good, buddy.

I will. Good night.

Jack closed ZipChat and shut down his laptop. Micah really was the best friend he could ever hope to have. Now, he just needed to find a boyfriend, and Micah had given him an idea on how to do that.

 

The end of THE BARRIER, Chapter Two